8 Tips for Networking Your Business & Yourself

One of the most aggravating and annoying cliches you hear while trying to make a name for yourself in the business world is “it’s not who you are; it’s who you know.” Not only is it overstated, but Who-You-Know didn’t wake you up every morning. Who-You-Know didn’t register your business or acquire your capital. Who-You-Know didn’t come up with the ideas you’ve implemented into your business entity. But unfortunately, Who-You-Knows matter.

Don’t get too down on yourself for this. Everyone you look up to has someone who has helped them out in some way — whether this be investing in their ideas, offering services for free or at a discount, or simple word of mouth and recommendations. Nobody got to where they are on their own, and it doesn’t take away from your hard work.

It does, however, mean you need to put yourself out there and get to know people. Networking your brand often means networking yourself personally. The balance between professionalism, brand marketing, and personally meeting people can be difficult, so here are some networking tips that will hopefully lead you to a healthy balance of all three:

1.   Be Adventurous 

Much of the success of your networking relies on you going where the opportunities are, rather than waiting for them to come to you. Social media, networking events, or even letting your employees engage in networking are ways to reach people who may become wonderful assets to what you’re doing.

The point, however, is that you can’t wait for those things to come to you; you have to go to them. Be brave. Go out and find your networking opportunities, rather than waiting for them to come to you.

2.    Dress to Impress

The way you present yourself includes how you dress. You need to be able to read a situation well, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. That is, it’s better to dress up too much for an occasion than not enough.

Office style has changed over the years, but one thing that hasn’t is the importance of looking professional. If you’re confused about what’s fashionable nowadays in business dress or business casual dress, following websites like Fashion Beans or magazines like VMan can keep you in the know.

3.    Be Approachable

It always helps to approach a potential client or partner as a peer first and foremost. This adds humanity to what you’re doing so you don’t come off as a mere salesman, someone trying to rip them off or convince them they need a service they don’t.

When you meet anyone, especially in the context of a business or networking scenario, be friendly, shake their hands, and have a million-dollar smile. Ask personal as well as business questions and be genuinely concerned with what their answers are. Don’t let them be intimidated by you, no matter what your position is.

4.  Clean Up Your Online Presence

It’s important to posture yourself professionally online across different platforms and contexts! For instance, the things you post on your personal Facebook and Instagram should not tarnish the professional image your company works for.

How does this look practically? Well, for example, gross images and profanity should not adorn your personal Twitter or Facebook walls if they can’t adorn your company’s Twitter or Facebook walls. Apply this mindset to all of your personal social media accounts, and frankly, your day-to-day, in-person interactions as well.

5.  Have Some Principal

Your public persona should display your character and value, almost the way it would if you were a social entrepreneur. This means having a strong sense of principal and ethics about you.

How do you do this? Fight adversity with your speech, listen to others’ opinions, and show genuine care for the people you converse with. If people see this in your character, it’s something they’ll remember. And on top of that, it’s one personal step toward making the world a better place.

6.    Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

More cliches! Of course, there’s a lot of wisdom in this slangy street proverb. Your personal life reflects on your brand in more ways than most people wish. Nobody is perfect, but try not to act in ways that induce self-sabotage and reflect poorly on your brand.

DUIs, sexual assault or harassment, angry outbursts, and inappropriate jokes have been known to ruin the careers of many, especially in the past few years. But you don’t want to be one of those people that does something stupid without considering how it may affect others and lose what you’ve worked for because of it. Stay respectable.

7.    Always Represent

Silent representation is subtly effective. Merchandise creates networking opportunities in casual conversation, whether that’s a t-shirt or a coffee mug with your logo printed on it. The point is, visual cues can start a conversation or at least can create familiarity with your name and brand.

Additionally, merchandise is effective when utilized by those working for and with you. It’s important that your employees are able to represent your brand in their day-to-day life by representing your brand in the same way. Company-given promotional products are extremely effective and worth investing in.

8.   Return Any Favors

Everyone who helps you is choosing to. It’s not something they have to do, and though it may be beneficial for them, they’re making the choice to invest time and possibly resources in you, not a competitor or peer. When the tides turn, make sure you return the favor.

A form of good business karma may apply here too. When networking, remember that all relationships work in both directions. You could be someone’s Who-You-Know at some point. The world reward those that help people, so be one of those people and one of those brands. Good fortune may be yours.

What networking tips do you have? How do you posture yourself in networking scenarios? We’d love to hear about it, so feel free to share your experience in the comments below!